Review: Every Frenchman Has One

Every Frenchman Has One

Olivia de Havilland

This was a delightful little book, originally published in 1961 by the Hollywood legend Olivia de Havilland. While she appeared in numerous films, I remember mostly her role as Melanie in Gone with the Wind. After a divorce in 1953, she met and married a Frenchman and moved to Paris. This book follows her attempts to come to terms with life in another country. Its humorous, well observed and rather insightful. She covers topics such as fashion, health, education, housekeeping, renovations and more.

I think my favorite chapter was “La Place de la Discorde”, the descriptions were keenly observed and seemed remarkably modern. I found myself laughing in practically every chapter. And I'm actually surprised that with her ability to write with such style and humor she didn't publish more works about her experiences. The interview at the end of the book done in May 2016 on the occasion of her 100^th birthday was also a nice inclusion.

Overall, I completely enjoyed this charming book, both for its nostalgic feel and it's warm wit and humor.

Thanks to Blogging for Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The President's Hat

The President's Hat

Antoine Laurain

The President's Hat is a captivating tale which is easy to read and hard to put down. It begins when President Mitterrand forgets his hat in a Parisian Brasserie. This sets off a chain of unforeseen reactions. Firstly, when its found by Daniel Mercier a fellow diner in the Brasserie. Realizing that the hat belonged to the President, Mercier decides to start wearing it as if it were his own. Like a magic charm, the hat brings him luck, and a large dose of self confidence thereby changing his personal circumstances for the better. Unfortunately he looses the hat. But, it is found on a train by Fanny, who likes that the hat contains her initials F.M. on the inside rim. Wearing it also gives her the courage to end a romantic relationship that has no realistic future.

The hat passes to several other interesting characters, who also experience surprising changes in their lives. There's Pierre Aslan, who is deeply depressed and hasn't be able to do his job properly for twenty years. Finding the hat changes his life. My personal favorite is Bernard Lavallière, who undergoes a personal metamorphosis after acquiring the famed hat. But Daniel Mercier is determined to reclaim the hat again. What will ultimately happen to it if he succeeds? Will President Mitterrand ever see it again? These are the intriguing questions answered in this charming story. Set in the 1980's it's full of nostalgia and contains characters and events that I hadn't thought off for some time, making it like a trip down memory lane. It's a fun and delightful book that I'm going to remember for a long time.

Thanks to Netgalley and Gallic Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Eskimo Solution

The Eskimo Solution

Pascal Garnier

This short novel is basically a story within a story. The main character is an author, working on a story about Louis, his main character. In the story, Louis has found a way to help many of his friends by killing off their elderly parents, so that the children or dependents can inherit property or money and live happily ever after. As the overall story develops, so do events in the authors own life. These events start to mirror his fiction and his own life seems to almost overwhelm him.

By the end of the book I got the feeling that the main character was living two different lives, a real one and a fictional, the differences between the two being not that great. It's an interesting tale, which is well observed and cleverly written. It is, however at times a bit confusing as the story switches abruptly between the author's own story and the fictional story. This “blurring” of the lines seems to reinforce the sense that reality and fiction become one and the same.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read more of Garnier's work. But for newcomers I would recommend starting with Moon in a Dead Eye where the structure of the story is much more straightforward.

Thanks to Netgalley and Gallic Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: As the Pig Turns

As the Pig Turns

MC Beaton

At the annual pig roast in the Cotswold town of Winter Parva, a body is discovered, roasting on the spit, no less. As there is no head attached, it's hard to tell who it could be. Agatha Raisin suspects it might belong to a local policeman, Gary Beech. Officer Beech is despised by the village because of his ability to find endless reasons for handing out tickets. So there is no lack of suspects. The only person interested is Gary's ex-wife and she hires Agatha and her team to investigate.

MC Beaton has once again provided the reader with an entertaining “whodunit”. Agatha is her usual “bossy” self. In fact, in this novel she's been interfering too much into the personal life of Toni, a younger female member of staff. Which leads to conflict and the possible loss of a valuable member of the team. But Agatha is strong willed. Even though this case has her more frightened than usual she is determined to see it though.  

Review: A Super Upsetting Cookbook About Sandwiches

A Super Upsetting Cookbook about Sandwiches

Tyler Kord

I think I can honestly say this cookbook is unique and unlike any other I have ever read or owned. I laughed out loud so many times while reading it, it should have been a crime. So, I'd like to make a toast, (or rather raise my asparagus sandwich) to Tyler Kord for making it okay for me, or anyone else for that matter, to have a sandwich anyway I want. To hell with what everyone else thinks!

Of course, if I'm really really honest, I'm not sure I'm going to try a lot of the recipes in this book (especially the difficult and time consuming ones) because frankly, I'm just too lazy for that. But, I loved the book nonetheless because it made me think about all the ways I could make a sandwich with unexpected ingredients. Some of my favorite recipes in this book were the Famous Rap Battles of History, Don't Cry for me Argentina and pretty much anything that included meatloaf. I really like the fact that recipes for sauces and topping were included. I liked the recipe for Mayo and all the additions one could add to make an interesting variation. I've never made Mayo, again I'm lazy, but I like to think that one day I might give it a try, just to see if I can.

Overall, this was a fun and entertaining book. It's good for anyone who loves making sandwiches, and it's perfect for those who want to be creative with their sandwiches.

Thanks to Blogging for Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Dead is Dead

Dead is Dead

John Lansing

Jack Bertolino is an ex-cop, now private detective working as a bodyguard to film star Susan Blake. She has been cast as the lead star in a film based on one of Jack's previous cases. Susan needs a bodyguard as she has a nasty stalker but, while in the process of filming a shooting a few blocks away, a gang member and a six-year-old innocent child are killed. Jack takes on this case in an attempt to find out who really killed the innocent girl and finds himself involved in a complex world of high art, drugs, money, and murder.


Right from the start, chapter one told me this was going to be a good book. It set the stage well with a gripping and suspenseful scene, letting me know that the story would be an interesting one. The book was both complex, nuanced, and layered, letting the reader into the minds of the main characters. The characters were also interesting and often had multiple layers which allowed me to understand even the darkest characteristics and motives they possessed. I also enjoyed the structure of two stories in one. On one hand there were the attempts to solve the murder of the gang member, Tomas Vegas, and the innocent child, Maria Sanchez, while also trying to protect Susan Blake from a mysterious stalker.


This was my first book in the Jack Bertolino series even though this is the third novel, I felt the author gave me enough background about Jack that this was easily read as a stand alone book. It did, however, make me want to read the other books in the series. Particularly since this one made me feel so much a part of the action. Whether a character was catching a wave off the coast or in a shoot out, I felt the descriptions were superb, giving the reader the sense of being right there with the characters in the middle of the scene.


Overall, it was a book that I couldn't put down, a real visual feast, which would make a great film. It's a book that packs a punch and I feel sure that anyone who reads this will be hooked on the Jack Bertolino series.

Review originally written for San Francisco Book Review

Review: The Edible Flower Garden

The Edible Flower Garden

Kathy Brown

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in edible flowers. It's well written and provides detailed information. For example, it includes recipes for classic ways to utilize edible flowers, such as floral oils, butter and teas. There is also a useful recipe detailing how to crystallize flowers, which can then be used for all types of decorating. For the novice gardener there are plenty of growing tips and a plant directory with complimentary pairing ideas. The wonderful photos will no doubt inspire you to create something unexpected and magical.